章 606: Chapter 606: What Nonsense Are You Talking About?
Chairman Song Chan-woo entered the room and swallowed hard.
Sitting alongside President Yoon Chang-ho and Prime Minister Jang Seong-taek, the rulers of both North and South, he couldn't help but feel tense.
"Daehyeon Group has deep ties with our Republic. I believe it's time to properly conclude this relationship that has been ongoing since the era of my predecessor," he said.
In response to Jang Seong-taek's words, Song Chan-woo bowed his head slightly, expressing his gratitude.
"Yes, Prime Minister. Just give us the task, and we at Daehyeon will mobilize all our capabilities to achieve North Korea's economic growth. This has been my father's wish: for North and South to unite and create an economic powerhouse together."
Jang Seong-taek nodded and smiled.
"There aren't many businessmen like you in North Korea. For the country to thrive, its enterprises must succeed."
"That will change now. My predecessor built Daehyeon Group from nothing in Korea. Would North Korea be any different? We share the same blood as the Han people."
Yoon Chang-ho raised his teacup, a pleased look spreading across his face as he sipped.
After casting a quick glance at Yoon Chang-ho, Jang Seong-taek continued speaking.
"I hope the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kaesong Industrial Complex can be held after our summit. Daehyeon Group's commitment to the project remains unwavering, correct?"
"Yes. Daehyeon Group has already dedicated all our resources to the construction and occupation of the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Once all political matters are settled, we can hold the groundbreaking ceremony at any time. I believe we can wrap up all construction within a year," he confirmed.
"Oh! Is that true? You can complete the Kaesong Industrial Complex in a year?"
Jang Seong-taek welcomed Song Chan-woo's statement with enthusiasm.
"If everything goes as anticipated, we expect to finish construction and hold the completion ceremony within the year."
"I'll help in any way I can. So please ensure it's built as quickly as possible. Isn't Daehyeon Group's construction capability recognized worldwide? My expectations are high."
Then, Song Chan-woo cautiously added.
"However, everything depends on proper political compromise. We reached an agreement on the Kaesong Industrial Complex during the last summit in Pyongyang, but that hasn't translated into actual construction yet."
Jang Seong-taek nodded, fully aware of Song Chan-woo's concerns.
"I remember attending that agreement, so I know it well. But the circumstances now are different. Trust me; it's safe to proceed with the construction. Isn't that right, President Yoon Chang-ho?"
When asked, Yoon Chang-ho set down his teacup and nodded.
"Of course. The situation now is not the same as back then. However, I cannot overlook the losses Daehyeon Group faced when the Kaesong Industrial Complex and Mt. Kumgang tourism projects fell through. What do you intend to do about that? Are you planning to just pretend it never happened?"
Yoon Chang-ho was probing for, no, digging into Jang Seong-taek—and North Korea's—weakness.
Daehyeon Group had invested heavily in projects with North Korea, only to suffer massive losses due to abrupt policy changes, risking the very foundation of the company.
Fortunately, they had weathered the crisis with Kim Mu-hyeok's help, but if Daehyeon Group collapsed alongside Jungwoo Group, Korea's economy would find it difficult to recover.
"That's a past issue. Can we move forward, or will dredging it up prevent us from progressing toward the future?"
"To move on into the future, we need the assurance that past mistakes won't be repeated, right?"
"Don't worry. That's precisely why I personally visited Seoul. I brought many gifts for the President on my way here."
As Jang Seong-taek emphasized his point, President Yoon Chang-ho nodded.
"So our government agreed to cover the construction costs of the Kaesong Industrial Complex and the expenses for renovating the highway linking South Korea and Kaesong. This is also a promise made between states. Daehyeon Group isn't a government body. We can't just impose unreasonable losses on them, can we?"
Chairman Song Chan-woo fidgeted in his seat.
It was uncomfortable to have the leaders of both nations discussing Daehyeon Group's losses in front of him.
"Our Republic is also planning several projects with Daehyeon Group, so the benefits should outweigh the losses incurred due to the actions of our Republic."
Just as President Yoon Chang-ho was about to speak, a knock at the door interrupted.
The door swung open, and the Chief Secretary walked in.
Yoon Chang-ho frowned.
"Didn't I tell you not to let anyone in?"
The Chief Secretary bowed his head and replied.
"I apologize. CEO Kim Mu-hyeok is waiting outside to be admitted."
"CEO Kim?"
As Yoon Chang-ho looked over, Jang Seong-taek nodded in agreement.
"Let him in."
* * *
I moved toward the room where Yoon Chang-ho and Jang Seong-taek had disappeared, leaving Cheon Ji-young behind.
Just then, I was stopped by Ambassador Takano Toshiaki from Japan.
"CEO Kim Mu-hyeok."
His halting Korean made me pause.
"Did you call for me, Ambassador?"
"Yes, I would like to have a chat with you."
"Chat? Was there anything specific you wanted to discuss?"
"Please don't say that…"
Toshiaki pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow.
I had a general idea of what the Japanese ambassador would say.
"Hmm… I have somewhere I need to be right now. Let's arrange another time to meet."
"I promise not to take up too much of your time."
Toshiaki repeatedly nodded, pleading. Unable to refuse again, I took a deep breath and responded.
"Let's move somewhere to talk. There are too many eyes here."
Others were starting to take an interest in us.
Given the large crowd, it hadn't drawn much attention yet, but even a conversation with the Japanese ambassador was enough to grab some headlines.
"Follow me."
I led Toshiaki out of the banquet hall.
The security personnel and staff at the entrance approached us.
"Where are you going?"
"The ambassador wants to have a word with me. Is there a quiet place we can talk?"
The staff member looked to Toshiaki and asked.
"You're looking for a quiet conversation?"
Toshiaki responded.
"Yes, I have something important to discuss with CEO Kim Mu-hyeok."
"Please hold on."
He held us there while he contacted someone.
After a moment, the staff member returned to escort us to a small room beside the banquet hall.
"You can talk here."
As Toshiaki and I stepped inside, the staff member closed the door behind us.
The absence of footsteps indicated he was likely waiting outside.
"Now, let's sit and have our talk."
As I gestured for him to take a seat, Toshiaki sat down with a worried expression.
"Please allow Japan to participate in the five-nation talks involving the U.S., China, Russia, Korea, and North Korea, which are happening in three days."
Seeming quite anxious, Toshiaki jumped straight to the point.
Just as I had expected.
"Ambassador Toshiaki, are you sure you've come to the right person? I'm just a businessman."
"I've already requested this from both the Korean and U.S. governments, but I was turned down. They claim Japan doesn't qualify to attend. Is this really a reasonable stance? That our Japan isn't worthy to participate in such an important event?"
Toshiaki's voice rose with emotion.
"Surely you can convince the Korean government to let Japan join? If the Korean government desires our attendance, the U.S. won't oppose it. With China, Russia, and North Korea participating, Japan should also be included to balance the situation."
I had anticipated that line of reasoning.
Stressing the Korea-U.S.-Japan alliance and putting pressure on other countries would be the aim, I knew.
Yet I had no reason to heed that argument.
Nodding, I said.
"I could try to persuade them that Japan should also be included. But why should I? It doesn't benefit me at all."
"Aren't we friends, CEO Kim Mu-hyeok?"
Friends?
Now that was absurd.
"Friends? I'm struggling to understand what you mean. Are you referring to my relationship with Japan?"
After everything Japan put me through.
"I heard you're close to Prime Minister Koizumi. It's about a past incident in Japan…"
"That was a matter of personal gain for me, assisting Prime Minister Koizumi. It originated from dealing with pro-Japanese elements in Korea. Although it's regrettable that the fire spread to Japan…"
…
Toshiaki looked visibly taken aback.
"Did Prime Minister Koizumi say that? That I should try to convince you by claiming we're friends? If that's his approach, he should call me directly instead of sending you." This is Japan's karma. Had they offered sincere apologies for their past actions and maintained good relations with Korea and North Korea, there wouldn't be any reason to exclude Japan from the talks.
"This isn't the time to talk about the past. We're discussing Japan's need to attend the upcoming talks about North Korea's sudden situation as a developed nation in Northeast Asia."
Is it a trait of this country to divert the issue when difficult topics arise?
"Can we rectify the mistakes of the past when it was a wrong button pushed in the first place? Both the Korean and North Korean governments are equally against Japan's participation. Therefore, the U.S., China, and Russia cannot help but oppose it too."
Toshiaki let out a deep sigh, clearly frustrated.
"This is why I'm making this request. Japan's internal situation isn't great. If this continues, extreme right-wing groups might gain prominence in the looming elections. Is that what you want?"
Is this guy trying to threaten me?
Claiming Japan's internal struggles could lead to chaos may be a bluff, but it was surprising to realize how dire the situation could get after Koizumi had eliminated the pro-Japanese faction.
"That doesn't sound like a good offer."
"What other implications could there be? If pro-Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi were to fall out of favor, it wouldn't bode well for Korea either."
"What's that got to do with me?"
"It would negatively impact your business interests as well, CEO Kim Mu-hyeok."
"Are you threatening me right now?"
Toshiaki smirked.
"Of course not. However, if you corner us like this, we might not have a choice but to consider our options. We also have to think about our contingency plans."
Is this Koizumi's order?
"Did Prime Minister Koizumi instruct you to convey this? Or is this your independent judgment?"
"I'm the Japanese Ambassador to Korea. I have the discretion to do such things."
Nonsense. He can't act freely without Koizumi's orders.
"Call Prime Minister Koizumi right now. I want to speak to him. Or I'll get up and leave this place."
This charade ends here.
"Will you get up? Or will you call him?"
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